Kenya was once again gripped by nationwide anti-government protests, a somber commemoration of the deadly demonstrations that rocked the country exactly one year prior. Thousands took to the streets across various towns, intending to mark the anniversary of the 2024 anti-tax bill protests, which had culminated in the unprecedented storming of parliament and resulted in over 60 fatalities. However, what began as a day of remembrance quickly escalated into tragic clashes, leaving a new, grim toll in its wake.
According to human rights organizations, the demonstrations resulted in at least 16 deaths, with the majority reportedly caused by police action. Irungu Houghton, the executive director of Amnesty Kenya, confirmed to Reuters that 16 people were "verified dead as of 8:30 pm," with figures corroborated by the global rights watchdog and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). Houghton further specified that "most were killed by police," and at least five of the victims had succumbed to gunshot wounds.
The state-funded KNCHR echoed these grave concerns, having earlier reported eight deaths across the country, all "allegedly from gunshot wounds." Beyond the fatalities, the scale of injuries was extensive. The watchdog stated on its official X account that "over 400 casualties have been reported, including demonstrators, police officers and journalists." Kenyatta National Hospital, the capital’s main medical facility, confirmed receiving a staggering 107 wounded individuals, with the majority presenting with "gunshot injuries," encompassing both rubber bullets and live rounds. Thankfully, no deaths were reported directly at KNH.
Click Link To Watch More On This
Click Link To Watch More On This
Throughout the day, police employed tear gas and water cannons in efforts to disperse protestors, particularly in the capital, Nairobi, as observed by local media and a Reuters witness. While some protestors reportedly clashed with law enforcement, the allegations of excessive use of force, including the deployment of live ammunition, raised significant alarms among human rights defenders. The KNCHR specifically noted heavy police deployment and "allegations of excessive use of force, including rubber bullets, live ammunition and water cannons, resulting in numerous injuries."
Amidst these damning reports from independent and state-funded human rights bodies, the official response from law enforcement remained notably elusive. Kenyan police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga declined to comment on the detailed statements issued by Amnesty Kenya and KNCHR, maintaining silence on the mounting casualty figures and allegations of police brutality. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), a state-funded body, confirmed in a separate statement that at least 61 individuals had been arrested during the protests, but provided no further details regarding the use of force or the reported deaths.
Adding to the tragic narrative, national electricity provider Kenya Power announced that one of its security guards, Mr. Fred Wamale Wanyonyi, was fatally shot while patrolling its headquarters in Nairobi. This incident further underscored the profound risks faced by individuals, both participants and bystanders, during such volatile confrontations.
The events of yesterday served as a stark and painful reminder of the human cost of unresolved grievances and escalating tensions. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of another day of deadly protests, the calls for accountability, transparency, and a thorough investigation into the use of lethal force will undoubtedly intensify. The recurring pattern of fatalities during public demonstrations signals a critical need for re-evaluation of protest management strategies and a renewed commitment to upholding human rights in Kenya.
